Local bands with big-time aspirations could land a recording contract with a Nashville record label next month during a music showcase to be conducted by Big Time Talent Booking Agency in Kingsport.

Brainstormed by Mark Poff with Big Time Talent Booking Agency and David Marshall with Big Whirl Records out of Nashville, the Kingsport, Tennessee Music Showcase, scheduled for all day Oct. 5, is seeking country acts, bluegrass bands and country solo artists in the area.

“There is so much hidden talent here in the Tri-Cities, some great bands, some great solo artists,” Poff said. “On this showcase, we’re not going to be giving away prizes or recording studio time. We are bringing in a record label and the record label is coming prepared to offer the top bands a recording contract.”

He said while the event has a limit of 10 bands allowed to compete, Marshall will only be bringing eight recording contracts with him to the showcase and it will be up to him to decide the number of contracts he gives out.

Each band at the showcase will be able play three to four songs for Marshall, and they will also be videotaped.

“We are bringing a film crew,” Poff said. “Each band that participates in the showcase is going to have their own 30-minute special on one of the Tri-Cities networks.”

He said the booking agency was going to print posters and flyers for the event, but said the response on social media about the upcoming showcase has been booming. Poff said despite the 10-band limit, any band or artist interested in performing is asked to contact him as he plans on compiling contact information for other music showcases in the future.

“We just want any and all to come out,” he said. “I do know that the record producer is ... very much interested in finding the ‘diamond in the rough,’ so to speak. He is very interested in developing artists as well.”

The showcase will be held at The Fire Escape, 1433 E. Center St.

A $100 fee will be assessed for the bands and individual musicians in the showcase to cover the showcase and the TV coverage of the event.